Court ruling in Basilica Cistern crisis

The application filed by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) for the cancellation and stay of execution of the eviction order for the Basilica Cistern has been accepted by the court.

The Istanbul 8th Administrative Court ruled that the eviction process should not be implemented until a decision is reached on the merits of the case.

COURT EMPHASIZES "IRREPARABLE HARM"

The court's decision noted that the implementation of the eviction process could lead to damages that would be difficult or impossible to compensate.

In this context, it was decided to stay the execution of the process until the defenses of the Fatih District Governorship and the General Directorate of Foundations are received or the legal defense period expires.

It was stated that the decision was taken unanimously.

NO SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED

According to the report by Sözcü, the court also ruled that there is no need to require any security deposit for the implementation of the stay of execution decision.

BASILICA CISTERN WAS RESTORED BY İBB

The Basilica Cistern, which is owned by the İBB, had been reopened to visitors following comprehensive restoration work.

In previous statements, it was announced that the historical structure had been registered in the name of the General Directorate of Foundations.

The eviction process had come to the agenda following this development.

ENTRANCE FEE HAD BEEN REDUCED TO 1 LIRA

Following the restoration work, the İBB had reduced the entrance fee for the Basilica Cistern to 1 lira for Turkish citizens.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

The controversy regarding the Basilica Cistern began when the title deed of the structure was taken from the İBB and registered in the name of the General Directorate of Foundations. The İBB announced that the change in ownership was carried out without prior official notification to them and without any known court order. The municipality stated that it learned of the process when it examined the land registry records.

The General Directorate of Foundations, on the other hand, announced that numerous properties, including the Basilica Cistern, were registered in the name of the relevant foundations on the grounds that they were of foundation origin. The statement argued that these procedures were carried out within the scope of the Law on Foundations.

The controversy grew when the General Directorate of Foundations asked the İBB to vacate the Basilica Cistern within 15 days. İBB Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan reacted to the decision, reminding that the cistern was restored through İBB Heritage works and announced that the entrance fee for Turkish citizens had been reduced to 1 lira.

The practice announced by the İBB began on April 18. Accordingly, citizens of the Republic of Turkey can visit the Basilica Cistern for 1 lira by showing their identity cards.